Daeyln helped Daryn stand for the choosing, knowing it was proper. She groaned the entire way, barely able to keep her eyes open. Despite this, she held her head up high. Her heart skipped when the king pointed at Daelyn, only to stop when he picked the other man, the one whose win was near impossible. Daelyn had to sit her down on the ground to join the other knights at the table, all the while feeling numb. She should have been chosen; there was a mistake. No, the king knew what he was doing. Daryn would need to return to Sanuel with her head low; she had lost. She watched the table from her seat on the ground, wondering how she would even make it back home. She would be punished greatly for her failure, Sanuel would be sure of that. 

Daelyn kept one eye on his broken sister and the other on the man who had taken her place. The man drunk two glasses of wine; Daelyn did not eat a thing. It was clear that the other knights at the table did not like the man, as he kept filling his stomach. The mages came over to the king, proposing the man was a cheat. He looked towards Daryn, noticing she was standing a little straighter. When the fight broke out between the man and the prince, Daelyn snuck away to his sister, falling on his knees in front of her. 

"Do you know what this means?" he asked, picking at her hair. She nodded, her mouth agape. It wasn't like Daryn to be surprised, but she did not see this coming. 

"Bless the gods," she whispered, when the king stormed out of the room, leaving his son bleeding on the floor. They had made it. An odd feeling washed over the both of them, a little relief and excitement. Daryn was just glad the whole ordeal was over. Two of the mages came over to heal them, and Daryn gladly showed them her hands. She tore the wrapping off, flinching as it took skin and all. Daelyn apologized, but Daryn hushed him. He had done what was necessary. 

"Thank you," she said to the mage, although it hurt her to say it. The woman was already walking away, though, toward the prince. The woman had been unable to heal her completely, but already, she felt better. The wounds on her hands were just faint pink scratches, itching from the healing. She stood, with the help of her brother, testing out her back by bending over several times. A good night's sleep would do the rest for her. Daelyn let go of her, walking back over to the group of knights, huddling around the prince. 

The man in charge of the trials found them, pulling them to the side. He greeted them both, saying his name was Enn, and he was second-in-command to Garrod, who Daelyn had heard the king speak of earlier. He shook both their hands, cautious of Daryn. 

"I must say, I am glad you two were chosen. You both showed great talent in the arena; you will be good knights to the king and his heir. At day break tomorrow, you will be given your jobs, whether it be guarding someone or protecting the castle in general. For now, we are at a time of peace, but do not let your guard down." He turned to face Daryn. "You should know that you are the first female knight to the king. He will not want you to guard him. It puts you at a great disadvantage being surrounded by males." Daryn shook her head, beginning to tell the man she was more than a fair match for all the knights he threw at her. He cut her off, continuing, "I assume that you are okay with staying in the same quarters. The original plan was to room to male knights together."

The twins both nodded, feeling more than comfortable living together. They hardly spent any time apart. 

"Good," he said, nodded his head, "I will show you to your quarters when the prince dismisses himself. For now, eat. You will need your strength."

Careful not to bother the prince, they walked around the mages, picking up whatever food they could hold, and then they walked back to watch the scene unfold. Daelyn was intrigued by the work of the mages, particularly healing. They both ate quickly, mesmerized by the work they did. Daryn, although amazed, felt her stomach turn, images of the trials flashing back over her. The mages were powerful, dangerous forces. If they were to bring the rebellion into the castle, they would need to fight through the mages. She was not sure that was even possible.